EAST BRENT PARISH COUNCIL Elaine Oliver (Clerk) 21 Quantock Rise, Pawlett, TA6 4SD

Tel: 01278 684279

Minutes of the meeting of Parish Council held at the Village Hall on Monday 7th September 2015 at 7.30pm, when the following business was transacted.

Present: Cllr. B. Bees, Cllr. J. Bowden, Cllr. A. Gilling, Cllr. N. Lloyd-Jones, Cllr. C. Loader, Cllr. S. McGreavy, Cllr. W. Walker, Cllr. J. Webb.

Also present: Cllr. B. Filmer, Mrs E. Oliver (Parish Clerk)

Cllr. J. Webb invited members of the public preset to speak. Three people did so on the following issues:

• Safety Issues at the junction of the A38 and Mendip Road; the issue of visibility and difficulty caused by 4x4's parking on pavements; the issue of the location of the current speed limit and the possibility of it being moved. • Dog fouling and bins. • A question about the lawfulness of works being undertaken by an individual at a property.

It was agreed that all matters would be looked into and the dog fouling and bins would be on the October Agenda. The meeting opened at 7.50pm.

1. Apologies for Absence and Declarations of Interest.

Apologies: Cllr. E. Champion, Cllr. V. Rawles, Cllr. B. Woodward. Declarations: Cllr. B. Filmer and Cllr. A. Gilling for all planning matters. Cllr. J. Bowden for payment of cheque number 1326.

2. Minutes of the meeting on Monday 6th July 2015.

The Minutes of the meeting held on Monday 6th July 2015 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

The planning was brought forward. 4. Planning Applications received:

24/15/00024 1 Chapel View Cottage, Chapel Road, Rooksbridge, , BS26 2TB Erection of two storey extension to side (SW) elevation, including garage Mr. J. Tanner. Full Planning Permission.

This site had been visited by councillors. There was a discussion about traffic, neighbours and materials to be used as well as land and location. This application was proposed for approval and agreed by all. There is no additional traffic generation, neighbours are not overshadowed and it is in keeping with the local vernacular.

24/15/00027 Motorway Service Area M5 Southbound, Picnic Area, Rooksbridge, Axbridge Erection of extensions to West, East and North East elevations Motorway Service Area amenity building and associated site works. Roadchef Motorways Limited. Full Planning Permission.

This site had been visited and was noted to be a large extension. It was noted that it generated employment for local people and that the area to be extended into was currently underused. Concerns were expressed about the loss of parking spaces. This application was proposed for approval and agreed by all with the proviso that there should be no loss of parking. There are no environmental issues and it complies with regional and national guidance.

7/15/00016 BRENT KNOLL PARISH - no requirement to comment Land at Wick Lane, Brent Knoll, Highbridge Installation of solar park. Navitas Projects Ltd. Full Planning Permission.

It was noted that although there was no requirement to comment it was a large site which would cause additional traffic through the parish. The traffic report was unclear about routes to be taken for access to the site in Brent Knoll and concerns were expressed about heavy vehicles through East Brent. The clerk was instructed to write a letter to SDC asking for a survey of the road through the village to be undertaken prior to any additional traffic movements and that a survey is conducted afterwards to ensure that any damage is rectified. Also a request that lorries should not go through the village at school opening and closing times and that drivers should be made aware of a corner known locally as Butchers Corner which is a tight bend which might cause difficulty for articulated lorries

3. Matters Arising:

04/13 : Parish Magazine. The Trust Deed was formally accepted and signed with a resolution proposed by Cllr. Gilling and seconded by Cllr. Bowden and agreed by all that Cllr. Rawles in her capacity of chairperson could sign on her return.

21/15: Triangle Land in Front of the Brent Knoll Inn. • Enquiries have been made about the availability of the land. • Cllr. Gilling will discuss with SDC. • Further discussion will be required about potential cost and liability. • Further discussion will be required about the possible use of such land.

08/13 : Playing Field Rooksbridge (Rooksbridge Playing Field). Grass cutting - concern has been raised about the clover taking over and the additional costs which will be incurred to cut more frequently. It was proposed by Cllr. Loader and seconded by Cllr. Walker and agreed by all that Mr Goodall be asked to spray the area. Fence - this appears much more sturdy after repair.

24/15: Cemetery meeting Monday 7th September 2015. Cllr. Bowden reported on the meeting of the Cemetery sub committee. Maintenance - benches, gates, hedge cutting, dog bins and the earth storage area have all been reviewed. Two burials have taken place. Decorations and plants on graves are being reviewed. The trees in the car park will have a trim of lower branches in the autumn. A lilac tree has been donated and will be planted in the autumn.

25/15: Mendip Road Business Park Signage. It was highlighted that lorries are missing the business park entrance and when turning causing difficulty for residents nearby. It was discussed whether the parish council should provide and pay for a sign. There was concern expressed that this might set a precedent and who would be responsible for it. It was agreed that Cllr. McGreavy would make further enquiries about the ownership of the site.

26/15: Third Defibrillator The possible location of a third unit in the Edingworth area was discussed. The main issue is with sourcing an appropriate power supply and for gaining quick and easy access to it. Cllr. Webb will make enquiries with a local business in the area.

27/15: A38 Pedestrian Crossing at Rooksbridge The question of a refuge in the centre of the road was discussed. There was knowledge of previous requests and other schemes: SCC had stated categorically that the road was not wide enough to accommodate it.

18/15: Pavement outside the Brent Knoll Inn A reply has been received from Enterprise Inns denying responsibility for the kerb. Cllr. Bees, as the former landlord was able to confirm that it had been installed by them. The clerk has been asked to respond accordingly to Enterprise Inns. Cllr. Gilling will make enquiries at SDC and a site meeting could be offered if required.

28/15: Came and Co Insurance Discussion of one year or three year option for parish insurance. It was proposed by Cllr. Walker and seconded by Cllr. Bowden and agreed by all that the three year tie in option was preferred as the Parish Council is quite satisfied with the service provided.

29/15: Payment in Error to East Brent. Refund to NatWest. Investigation reference GTINV1516350482. £1388.50 credited to EBPC in error by NatWest Bank. Repayment sought by NatWest via BACS. This was proposed for agreement by Cllr. Lloyd- Jones and seconded by Cllr. Webb and agreed by all.

30/15: Behaviour of people using playing areas. Discussion about how to deal with inappropriate behaviour or people or pets. It was agreed that this was now not an issue in the parish.

Applications decided:

24/15/00005. Withdrawn Land to the East and West of, Nos. 3-6 Knoll View, Old Bristol Road, East Brent TA9 4HU (Cllr. Walker gave an update on this site regarding enforcement and will write again to SDC)

24/15/00014. Granted permission Land at, Sedgemoor Motorway Services Area (M5 North Bound), BS24

24/15/00016. Withdrawn Land to the East of, River Yeo Farm, White House Lane, Loxton, Axbridge, BS26 2US

24/15/00017. Granted permission Calella, Brent Road, East Brent, Highbridge, TA9 4JD

5. Financial Matters : To authorise payment of invoices due.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 INVOICES FOR APPROVAL AND PAYMENT BY EAST BRENT PARISH COUNCIL CREDITOR DETAILS COST £ MINUTE CHEQUE VAT INVOICE NO East Brent Hire of Hall 27 July 18.00 5 1323 0.00 1590 Village Hall 2015 British Poppy Wreath 15.00 5 1324 0.00 N/A Legion Poppy Appeal Total Supply and install 476.64 5 1325 79.44 181 Fencing fencing for Somerset strengthening at play area

JE & GR Padlock for 21.11 5 1326 3.52 126 Bowden cemetery gate Came and Option 2 - EBPC 1429.99 Choice and 1327 0.00 374/1614449 Co Insurance 15/16 decision of Ref 28/15 year price with 3 EBPC to be year deal minuted Grant 13/14 Annual 120.00 5 1328 20.00 8411739 Thornton Return External Auditor East Brent Adjustment of 463.50 5 1329 0.00 106 Parish banking Magazine transactions PGC Contracted works 686.00 5 1330 0.00 Written Contracting 2015 - part payment Services for yearly sum PGC Additional 197.00 5 1331 0.00 Written Contracting maintenance. Services Mrs E Oliver Sept salary and 0.5 687.50 5 1332 0.00 Real time August Salary PAYE Mrs E Oliver Reimbursement for 60.91 5 1333 0.00 Recorded July & August postage and stationery

6. Correspondence :

A letter had been received from a parishioner about a neighbour's hedge overgrowing his land. It was agreed that this was an issue between neighbours and not something in which the PC could be involved. Correspondence received about an apparent abuse of planning had been raised and discussed by a parishioner prior to the meeting.

7. Matters of Report :

(a) Chairman The problem of stiles without paddles and the difficulty for dog walkers on Brent Knoll was raised and will be pursued by the Councillor with responsibility for footpaths. (b) Members Cllr. Filmer reported that SDC will be holding further training on planning in October and there will be more details to follow. He also reported that some parishes no longer receive hard copies of planning applications and instead use only electronic notification and print off their own plans. This is something that East Brent could move to after a trial. Cllr. Lloyd-Jones reported that he had met with a group from Rooksbridge to discuss grass cutting in that area. There were three main areas to be considered. A quote had been received for the work and costs were yet to be finalised. Cllr. McGreavy reported that the village fete had been a success and asked for it to be discussed at the October EBPC meeting. (c) Clerk Reported that planning application 24/15/00028 had been received and that extra time to reply had been requested.

Next Meeting at 7.30pm on 5th October 2015